Winding machine



July 19, 1966 K. w. NIEDERER 3,261,561

WINDING MACHINE- Filed Jan. 16, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. KURT W. NIEDERER BY 1 M Maw ATTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 K. W. NIEDERER WINDING MACHINE ggzRER W M ATTORNEYS INVENTOR. KURT w. N

July 19, 1966 Filed Jan. 16, 1964 United States Patent M 3,261,561 WINDING MACHINE Kurt W. Niederer, Warwick, R.I., assignor to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, RL, a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Jan. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 338,143 Claims. (Cl. 24227) The present invention relates to a winding machine for automatically winding bobbins with one of a plurality of different kinds of yarn and relates, more particularly, to mechanism for use with such a winding machine for receiving and holding the end of each bobbin so wound and for controlling the movement of each said bobbin to its proper magazine compartment.

In commonly assigned US. patent application Serial No. 303,378 of Francis A. Depuy, filed August 20, 1963 entitled Winding Machine there is disclosed and claimed apparatus for selectively presenting different yarns, one by one, to the bobbin of a Winding machine and subsequently winding the selected yarn onto the bobbin. It is within the contemplation of the apparatus of the cited patent application to transfer each bobbin, after it is wound, to a magazine for storage until required by an associated loom. In such a combination it is desirable that means he provided to cooperate with the foregoing mechanism to receive and hold the yarn end extending from each of these bobbins as it moves to the magazine, and to retain this yarn end until the bobbin is transferred to the shuttle of the associated loom, that means being provided to transport the yarn end to the holding means, and that apparatus be provided for directing the movement of the wound bobbin to its proper magazine compartment cooperatively with the means for manipulating the outer yarn end. As is well known in the weaving art, this outer yarn end, or transfer tail, is utilized advantageously by being held as the bobbin is placed in the loom shuttle at the time the shuttle is replenished. Thereafter, as the shuttle makes its first few picks through the shed the yarn on the bobbin is fed off. Subsequently, this outer yarn end which extends from the woven fabric is cut at the selvage.

It is, therefore, one object of the present invention to provide means cooperating with a winding machine for receiving and holding the end of yarn extending from a bobbin wound and ejected from said winding machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means to receive a wound bobbin and deliver it to a predetermined compartment of a bobbin storage magazine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means for receiving a wound bobbin together with means for drawing out a length of yarn or transfer tail from the bobbin and holding it under tension.

Yet, an additional object of the present invention is to provide means for delaying movement of a bobbin into an associated magazine while a length of yarn is drawn from the bobbin, after which the bobbin is released for delivery to a predetermined compartment of said magazine.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Patented July 19, 1 966 FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a bobbin winding machine incorporating the present invention, a portion of an end of a loom being shown for mounting the winding machine;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, part-section rear elevational view of the bobbin winding machine of FIG. 1 showing elements of the present invention therewith, parts of the winding machine being broken away for clarity.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines III-III of FIG. 1;

'FIG. 4 is a view taken along lines IVIV of FIG. 1;

PG. 5 is a view taken along lines VV of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along lines VIVI of FIG. 2, the position of the cam and latch mechanism being modified slightly to show a further position of these parts during operation of the apparatus.

In the above-mentioned application Serial No. 303,378 there is disclosed mechanism operable cooperatively with an automatic bobbin winding machine such as is disclosed in commonly assigned US. Patent 2,763,443 of September 18, 1956 to W. V. Goodhue et al. In accordance with the mechanism of application Serial No. 303,378 yarn of a preselected type is presented to the winding machine as exemplified in the cited patent to be wound onto a bobbin. The present invention provides, in such an organization, means to receive and hold the wound bobbin temporarily, means for drawing off and transporting the outer end of said bobbin to a holding means, and means for delivering the wound bobbin to a preselected compartment of a multi-cornpartment magazine where the bobbin is stored for eventual movement into the shuttle of an associated loom.

Now, with reference to the drawing, and in the first instance to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated a winding machine 10 for automatically winding bobbins for use with an associated loom L on which the winding machine 10 is mounted. The winding machine 10 is illustrated as provided with a yarn positioning bracket 12 of the type disclosed in commonly assigned US. patent application Serial No. 303,378 more fully cited above. Inasmuch as the details of the winding machine 10 are fully described in the prior cited patent and in view of the fact that the details of yarn positioning bracket 12, together with its inter-relationship with winding machine 10, are fully set forth in US. patent application Serial No. 303,378 only so much of each of these structures as is necessary to a full and complete understanding of the instant invention will be presented herein. Thus, winding machine 14 is securely bolted to the loom L through a heavy bracket 14. The winding machine includes a housing or casing 16 which encloses the means for automatically controlling the winding cycle of the winding machine and the automatic bobbin donning, winding, and doffing means thereof. The top of the casing 16 serves to mount an electric motor (not shown) constituting the power source for the winding machine. Further, the winding machine 10 includes a pair of axially aligned chucks 18 and 20 between which a bobbin B is supported for rotation. As illustrated chuck 18 is supported in casing 10 and is positively rotated by means therewithin but not illustrated. Chuck 20 is axially movable in order that bobbins may be inserted between and removed from engagement with the chucks. To the end that yarn flowing from a source of supply may be guided onto bobbin B there is provided a yarn traversing guide 22 having a V-notch at its forward end for the reception of yarn. As is set forth in patent application Serial No. 303,378 the yarn is lead onto bobbin B by guide 22, this guide having a reciprocating motion controlled through a traverse rod, not shown, and mechanism within housing 16 to advance the yarn axially of bobbin B and thereby deposit the yarn in the form of a filling wind thereon 'B and -the yarn supply source.

in the manner of the cited Goodhue et al. patent. A breakage lever 23 having a step therein to form a shoulder at 23 contacts the yarn as the yarn flows from the supply to the bobbin. Said breakage lever 23 operates as described in the cited patent to stop the winding machine when the supply yarn breaks or becomes exhausted.

It has already been stated that the details of yarn positioning bracket 12 are fully set forth in patent application Serial No. 303,378. It will suifice here to state that said bracket 12 is provided with a plurality of clampshear units 24, each of which serves to hold a different type of yarn in readiness for delivery to bobbin B. As explained in the aforementioned patent application a delivery arm 13 is operable by means disclosed in that patent application to pick up the yarn from a preselected one of the clamp-shear units 24 and deliver the yarn to bobbin B for winding. Bracket 12 is rotatable on a shaft 26 through the motion of rod 28 and link 30, see FIG. 2,

in order that the desired type of yarn may be picked up by the delivery means. The clamp-shear units 24 are closed by a common operating member generally desig nated at 32 which is actuated by a lever arm 34 thereby clamping and severing the supply yarn between the bobbin The details of operation of member 28 together with that of link 30 are fully explained in the cited patent application.

Referring again to FIG. 1 a bobbin magazine 40 is suitably fixed to the frame of loom L by means not illustrated with its outlet opening at the lowermost end thereof opening over the usual shuttle box of the loom. Magazine 40 is arranged to have a plurality of cells or compartments, here shown as four in number and indicated as 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d. Each of the several compartments normally contains wound bobbin B having a different type of yarn thereon for use as required by the loom. Further, magazine 40 has a plurality of generally vertical slots opening outwardly through the side wall of the magazine. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3, magazine 40 is seen to have an elongated generally vertical slot 42 which extends between and is a common opening for a portion of compartments 40a and 40b. A similar slot 44 extends between and commonly serves compartments 40c and 40d: As will be more fully related hereafter, the transfer tail ends of the several bobbins B in magazine 40 are drawn through the appropriate slots 42, 44 and held under tension as the bobbins lay in their respective compartments.

In order to promote clarity of understanding, the several components to be described in this paragraph will be indicated by the same reference numerals applied to corresponding parts in the cited patent since these parts correspond in location, receive their drive, and operate as in the structure of the patent. Continuing, then, with particular attention to FIG. 5, an elongated rack-bar 420 is supported at the rear of the winding machine to slide on rollers 421, 422. One end of rack-bar 420 is connected at 423 to a rod 425 which is slidable through a suitable bushing in the end wall of the casing. The inner end of rod 425 is connected with drive means as fully described in the United States patent referred to above. The rack-bar 420 is engaged with a relatively small pinion 417 fast on a cross-shaft 416 journalled in cross-piece 205 of the main frame of the winding machine. Reference may be had to the cited patent for additional understanding of the nature of the parts described in this paragraph. Cross-shaft 416 has a gear 410 thereon at the shaft end remote from pinion 417. Gear 410, in turn, is engaged with a rack-bar 399 which is slidable parallel to rack-bar 420 on suitable bearing surfaces provided on a plate 402.

' Reverting, now, to the general, sequence of reference numerals of this application yarn carrier 60, constituted as a fiat clip havng a V-shaped notch in its side edge 61 for the reception of yarn, is attached to rack-bar 399 for sliding movement therewith. The yarn carrier 60 is seen in FIG. 1 to be in its rest or inactive position preparatory to being moved rightwardly, that is, outwardly away from casing 16, as rack-bar 399 is driven in this same direction by the train consisting of rack-bar 420, and gears 417, 410. The power to these gears for moving rack-bar 399 and yarn carrier 60 outwardly is initiated through movement of rack-bar in the same outward direction by rod 425 as in the prior cited patent.

Yarn carrier 60 reciprocates in a path between the position thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1 and an outer or right hand position as seen in FIG. 1 which positions this carrier vertically aligned above a suction tube 62. Said suction tube 62 is suitably bracketed to the outer frame of the winding machine 10 and stands in a generally vertical position with its upper end terminating slightly below the plane of movement of yarn carrier 60 and its lower extreme terminating in essentially the horizontal plane of the lowermost line of wound bobbins situated in magazine 40, as illustrated in FIG. 1. As best seen in FIG. 4 suction tube 62 has an elongated slot 64 passing radially through its wall, this slot extending the full length of the tube and opening toward magazine 40. The upper extreme of tube 62 is provided with a guide 65 which serves to direct yarn carried to the tube by yarn carrier 60 centrally of the bore of the tube and into slot 64. A closure member or door 66, elongated so as to be generally coterminous with slot 64, is pivoted for movement on a pintle 68 from a position sealing the slot 64 shut to an open position away from said slot, this latter or open position being shown in FIG. 4. For purposes of insuring a tight seal on the margins of slot 64 when the door 66 is closed against the slot, said door 66 is provided with a soft pad of resilient material 70 such as rubber tube or the like along the door face which abuts the margins of slots 64.

Suction tube 62 has a constant suction introduced thereto through a connection 72 leading into the base of the tube from a yarn end collection unit 74. This unit 74, in turn, is connected with a suitable suction means, not herein illustrated, through a tube 76.

Closure member is operated to its closed position through movement of rack-bar 420' and, for this purpose, rack-bar 420 has one end of a relatively long rod threaded into its outer end. The opposite end of rod 80 projects outwardly through a suitable clearance hole, terminating slightly beyond the confines of the frame of the winding machine, see FIG. 2. The outer portion of rod 80 is threaded to accommodate an adjusting nut 82. A relatively long spacer 84 is carried loosely on rod 80 and arranged to normally abut against the outer end of rack-bar 420. A collar 86 is fastened to spacer 84 midway along the length of the spacer.

Viewing FIGS. 2 and 4 it will be seen that a snap latch 88 is positioned to communicate with collar 86. In this connection latch 88 is affixed to the upper end of a short vertical shaft 90 rotatably supported in a bearing block 92 fastened to the rear of the winding machine frame by screws 94. The lower end of shaft 90 extending below bearing block 92 for the purpose of receiving thereon an arm 96 for rotation therewith. The outer end of arm 96 is bent at a right angle (see FIG. 4) and is pierced through to receive one end of a spring 98. The opposite end of spring 98 is connected to a pin 99 depending from the lower wall of the winding machine frame. A rather long operating link 100 is connected at one of its ends to the intermediate region of arm 96, the opposite end of this link beingattached loosely by .a pin 101 to a further arm 102. The end of arm 102 remote from pin 10 1 is fixed to pintle 68. In consequence thereof outward movement of collar drives latch 88 counterclockwise (see FIG. 4) causing arm to swing in the same direction. This mot-ion acts through link 100 to swing door 66 inwardly to seal slot 64 closed whereupon the suction in tube 62 is directed downwardly through the top of the tube. Once collar 86 overruns latch 88 spring 98 operates to swing latch 88 back to the position of FIG. 4. Due to the fact that latch 88 is free to swing clockwise (FIG. 4), collar 86 can readily push past latch 88 as the collar moves leftwardly, as seen in FIG. 4, in response to leftward movement of rod 80. Adjusting nut 82 shoulders against the outer end of spacer 84 as rack-bar 420 moves from left to right (FIG. 2) and serves to draw the spacer rightward toward the rack-bar, it having been stated previously that spacer 84 and rack-bar 420 are not affixed to each other.

In the operation of the automatic bobbin winding machine as exemplified herein, means fully related in said Patent No. 2,763,443 are operable at the completion of the winding cycle to retract chuck 20 thereby dofling the wound bobbin and allowing it to drop. The present invention includes certain improvements for controlling the movement of the bobbin after it is doifed to detain it on a rest or shelf for an interval while its transfer tail is delivered to suction tube 62 and held there under tension and, thereafter, to direct the bobbin to its proper compartment 40ad of magazine 40. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 a shelf .104 is loosely supported on a folded tab 106 extending upwardly from a sidewall of magazine 40. The rear or back opposite edges of shelf 104 are bent upwardly at 108 to define a pair of ears. A pair of vertical links 110 are loosely connected to cars 108 by rivets 111. A pair of depending brackets 112 are fastened to the underpart of the winding machine frame and project downward in general alignment with links 110. These brackets provide a bearing for supporting opposite ends of a rod 114. A pair of collars 1116 are affixed on the outer extremes of rod 114 to contain it in brackets 112. The upper ends of each of the links 110 are bored to be received on rod 114. Moreover, the upper end of each link 110 is pinned to its adjoining collar 116 so that these links swing in response to rocking movement of rod 114.

For purposes of rocking rod 114 an operating lever 120 having a roller 122 extending from its upper end is bored through at its lower extreme to receive rod 114 therethrough. In like manner as with links 110, a collar 124 is locked onto rod 114 by a suitable set screw and the lower end of lever 120 is pinned to this collar. Thus, rotary motion of lever 120 will cause similar rotary mo- I tion of rod 114 in its bearings in bracket (112.

To the end that lever 120 may be operated a block-like member 128 is fastened to the side of rack-bar 420 midway therealong. This member 128 has a cooperating latch 130 alfixed thereto for swinging motion about a vertical pivot 132. As best seen in FIG. 6 the inner juncture of member 128 and latch 130', i.e., the right-hand ends of these two components as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 6', form a V-notch into which roller 122 is received as rack-bar 420 moved from left to right as seen in these views. A spring 134 is connected to latch 130 and member 128 for urging these two parts together. With attention again to FIG. 6 it will be seen that member 128 has an inclined cam surface .136 on which roller 122 rides as rack-bar 420 moves from left to right as just stated. In consequence thereof and responsive to the rightward movement of rack-bar 420 already mentioned roller 122 rides up cam surface 136 causing lever 120- to rock in a clockwise direction viewing FIG. 5. This results in shelf 104 being projected forwardly or to the left (FIG. 5) to catch a bobbin doifed from between chucks 18 and 20. A fixed baffle plate 138 cooperates with shelf 104 to guide the bobbin to the shelf and to maintain it on the shelf.

It has been found desirable that the bobbin be detained on shelf 104 until the yarn end is securely engaged in suction tube 62. To this end roller 122 is caused to ride from cam surface 136 outwardly onto a plane surface 140 of member 128 and to be detained there. As earlier stated, spring 134 normally holds latch 130 closed against member 128. Latch 130 presents a further plane surface 142 aligned with the aforementioned surface 140. These latter two surfaces 140, 142 act, in effect, as a dwell to maintain lever in its clockwise position as shown in FIG. 5 during a portion of the time which rack-bar 420 is being moved, as will be more fully related hereafter. With lever 120 held in its clockwise position, as just related, shelf 104 is held in its projected position holding the wound bobbin, until the end of the wound bobbin is secured in suction tube 62. Thus, it will be appreciated that shelf 104 is projected to catch the wound bobbin B as it is doffed and detained until its outer end is carried out to suction tube 62 and caught therein. During this time rack-bar 420 will have commenced its movement from right to left (FIG. 2) in response to the automatic cycling fully explained in the cited patent. However, shelf 104 will continue to be projected as illustrated in FIG. 5 to hold the wound bobbin B thereon until rackbar 420 slides sufficient distance to permit roller 122 to fall off the end of latch remote from its pivot 132. A spring 144 is connected between one end of bracket 112 and lever 120 to urge the lever counterclockwise (FIG. 5) when said lever is unrestrained by surfaces 140, 142. As a final motion preparatory to winding a fresh bobbin rack-bar 420 slides from left to right (FIG. 2) thereby once more causing roller 122 to ride up cam surface 136 and come to rest on surface 140. Thus, shelf 104 is once again projected to receive the next wound bobbin at the time of its doffing.

As fully described in the patent application cited, the automatic bobbin winding machine as contemplated herein is capable of winding bobbins, the various bobbins each having a differing type of yarn as required to meet the demands of the fabric being woven on the loom. These bobbins are segregated at the time of winding so that bobbins having yarn of the same type are stacked vertically in separate compartments of the magazine for delivery as programmed by the loom. For this purpose the present invention provides a plate hinged at the upper part of magazine 40 to swing about a horizontal shaft 152. Plate 150 includes opposite generally plane surfaces 154, 155. Desirably, the upper region of plate 150 is provided with side flanges 156 in order that the bobbin will be maintained on the plate. As best seen in FIG. 1 the opposite terminal ends of shaft 152 have pulleys 158, 159 respectively afiixed thereto. Pulley 158 has a light weight cable 160 wrapped part way there around and secured in the peripheral groove thereof. Cable 160 depends therefrom to be connected with a tension spring 162 at its opposite end. In turn, spring 162 is stretched to engage in a pin 163 projecting from the side of magazine 40. By this arrangement plate 150 is constantly biased counterclockwise about shaft 152, (FIG. 3).

As is readily apparent from FIG. 3 plate 150 is rotatable about shaft 152 so as to intersect the upper reaches of each of the compartments 40ad of magazine 40. More over, it will be evident that as plate 150 is rocked about shaft 152 a bobbin rolling downwardly on surface thereof would be delivered to either compartment 40a or 4011 whereas as bobbin B being intercepted by surface 154 would be directed to compartment 40c or 40d. The arrangement for establishing the angularity of plate 150 to control the movement of a given wound bobbin to its proper compartment is as follows.

Referring to FIG. 2 it will be recalled that rod 28 has already been stated to be slidably mounted to locate bracket 12 in a given location to wind one of several different types of yarn held by the individual clamp-shear units 24. The operation of bracket 12 and its related mechanisms is fully set forth in patent application Serial No. 303,378. Suffice here to indicate that as rod 28 is shifted axially it rocks bracket 12 to align a given one of the clamp-shear units 24 with a yarn carrier means so that the type of yarn held by that unit will be wound on the rotating bobbin. It, of course, follows that a particular compartment of magazine 40 will be provided for each given type of yarn controlled by bracket 12 and, further, the programming of the present invention is such that these various types of yarn wound on separate bobbins will be sorted to deposit each wound bobbin in the proper compartment for its particular yarn type. To this end a post 166 is embedded in the lower side of rod 28 (see FIG. 2). A cable 168 is fastened to the outer end of post 166, this cable extending around a guide pulley 169 and being wrapped around and attached to pulley 159. By this arrangement plate 150 is set to be positioned in alignment to deliver a bobbin to each one of the compartments 40ad of magazine 40 corresponding to each one of the several yarn selecting positions of bracket 12. Hence, as rod 28 is actuated to rock bracket 12 to select a particular type of yarn for winding plate 150 is simultaneously rotated to align it for eventually delivering the bobbin wound with that particular type of yarn into its proper compartment. It will be evident from FIG. 3 that the total sweep of plate 150 Will be something under 180 since, as has already been pointed out, surface 155 of the plate serves compartments 40a and 4012 depending on the particular angularity of the plate while surface 154 can be slanted to deliver a bobbin in either compartment 400 or 40d depending on the setting of rod 28.

It is believed that the operation of the foregoing mechanism will be more or less apparent from the preceding description. However, it will serve to summarize the operation of the mechanism, particularly in accordance with the sequence of movements carried on thereby. Thus, it may be assumed that the winding of a bobbin on the automatic bobbin winding machine is nearing completion. At this time rack-bar 420 will be in its right-hand position, that is, its position as illustrated in FIG. 2. In consequene thereof roller 122 will be supported on surface 140 thereby maintaining shelf 104 in its advanced position as shown in FIG. 5 ready to catch the bobbin B when it is doffed and dropped. Moreover, rod 28 will be in a pro-established position to wind a given type of yarn from the several types controlled by the bracket 12. Also, plate 150 will have assumed a position to deliver the bobbin being wound to its proper compartment 4011-0! by virtue of the linkage between this plate and rod 28. Yarn carrier 60 will be at its rest position located generally in a line coincident with the mid-point of bobbin B. The supply yarn Y will be directed through the appropriate clampshear unit 24, over bail 23, and through yarn guide 22 which serves to distribute the yarn 0n the bobbin.

Presuming, now, that the bobbin B is fully wound rotation of the bobbin is arrested and chuck .20 is withdrown to doff bobbin B as described in the afore-mentioned Patent No. 2,763,443. The released bobbin falls by gravity until it comes to rest on shelf 104 and against plate 138. As in the patent just cited rack-bar 420 commences its leftward or outward motion (FIG. 2) as an incident of the recycling of the winding machine. At this time roller 122 is held, initially, on surface 140', and, as rack-bar 420 moves outwardly, surface 142 engages this roller to continue to hold it out thereby causing shelf 104 to continue to be projected as shown in FIG. 5. Surfaces 140, 142 thus provide a dwell or delay causing bobbin B to be detained on shelf 104 during the major portion of the time during which rack-bar 420 moves outward.

It has already been related that yarn carrier 60 is joined through hack-bar 399 and gears 410, 417 for cooperative outward movement, that is to say, movement toward the right viewing FIG. 1, with rack-bar 420. At the commencement of such outward movement yarn carrier 60 is behind or to the left (FIG. 1) of the apical end of bobbin B as this bobbin rests on shelf 104. Moreover, the supply ya-rn remains intact between the supply and the apical end of bobbin B as the bobbin comes to rest on shelf 104. In consequence thereof, yarn carrier 60, in its outward motion, engages the yarn Y between yarn guide 22, through which the yarn extends, and bobbin B (see FIG. 5 and carries the yarn out into the zone closely adjacent the upper margin of suction tube 62. Guide 65 at the top of the tube serves to lead the yarn into the diamet-ral zone of the tube and into the area of influence of the suction created in tube 62. At this time member 32 is operated in the manner of the apparatus of the Depuy patent application, earlier cited, to cut the yarn at the appropriate clamp shear unit 24 whereupon the yarn end produced thereby and connected to bobbin B is drawn into the tube 62 and lies in essentially a horizontal position, the extreme outer yarn end being entrapped in collection unit 74. This end continues to be held in unit 74 when the bobbin is tranferred to the loom shuttle. Thus, as the shuttle is thrown across the lay the yarn on the bobbin unwinds therefrom as filling yarn. After a few picks of the shuttle the end extending from suction tube 62 to the edge of the fabric is trimmed off at the selvage by the usual cutter means for this purpose positioned on the loom. This loose end is thereupon sucked into collection unit 74.

It is appropriate here to point out that in the operation of the winding machine as described in the cited patent yarn guide 22 is propelled back to its starting position close to chuck 18 as a part of the recycling of the winding machine to start the winding of a new bobbin. This motion commence-s prior to the delivery of the yarn to suction tube 62 by yarn carrier 60. It has been found desirable that the supply yarn be prevented from fanning from the supply back toward chuck 18 at the first part of the movement of yarn guide 22 to the left (FIG. 1) since the yarn may slide out of clamp-shear 24 in which it is engaged and thereby fail to be cut. Shoulder 23' acts to engage the yarn between clamp-shear unit 24 and the yarn guide to hold the yarn in said unit 24 until member 32 is operated to cut the supply ya-rn. The free end of yarn from the supply is thereafter clamped and manipulated at unit 24 as described in the last cited patent application.

To facilitate the engagement of the yarn end extending from bobbin B into suction tube 62 the door 66 is closed over slot 64 during the latter part of the outward movement of yarn carrier 60 toward the suction tube. This, of course, advantageously serves to concentrate the suction at the top of suction tube 62 to provide a ready means for seizing the yarn end delivered thereto by yarn carrier 60. Actuation of the door 66 is controlled by collar 86 which is pushed outwardly or to the right (FIG. 4) as a rack bar 420 pushes spacer 84 in this same outward direction. Such motion of collar 86 causes this collar to rock latch 88counterclockwise (FIG. 4) causes door 66 to close on slot 64 of tube 62. Continued outward motion of rack-bar 420 and spacer 8 4 causes collar 86 to over-run latch 88 whereupon door 66 is once again opened by the pulling force of spring 98. It will be understood that at this time the yarn end from bobbin B will have been presented at the top of suction tube 62 by carrier 60 and drawn therein.

With the yarn end introduced into suction tube 62, as just stated, bobbin B is dropped from shelf 104 as rackbar reaches the outer limits of its movement. This results as roller 122 falls off the end of the surface 142 and abuts against the side of rack-bar 420. Spring 144 is operative to draw the roller inwardly against the rack-bar causing laver to rock counterclockwise (FIG. 5). This movement causes shelf 104 to slide from beneath bobbin B whereupon the bobbin falls onto plate for guided movement into its proper compartment of magazine 40. It is to be appreciated that door 66 is opened somewhat prior to the release of the bobbin from shelf 104 as just described and, therefore the yarn end from p the bobbin on the shelf will have moved downwardly toward the base of suction tube 62 and through connection 72 to collection unit 74. As bobbin B is moved to its,

proper compartment 40a-d the end continues to extend in generally a horizontal plane and to be tensioned by virtue of this suction, and any slack momentarily produced in the yarn end as bobbin B gr-avitates to magazine 40 is quickly removed since the yarn is under the continual influence of the suction.

It is explained in the cited United States patent that rack-bar 420 oscillates in the opposite direction upon attaining its outer limit of movement. In consequence thereof rack-bar 42d slides along roller 122 until this roller is encountered by cam surface 136 (FIG. 6). At this point the roller follows the inclined path of said cam surface 136 and once again is pivoted outwardly to bear on surface 146 of member 128. As a result shelf 104 is returned to its projected position for catching the next ibobbin to be dolTed from chucks 18, 20.

At generally the time that rack-bar 429 is moved inwardly as just described rod 28 is actuated as US. patent application 303,378 to rock bracket 12 in order that the next type yarn may be delivered to a fresh bobbin for winding thereon. This motion of bracket 12 generates similar rocking movement of plate 150 through cable 168 to thereby position the plate to deliver the next bobbin to be wound in its proper magazine compartment.

Return movement of rack-bar 420 to its starting position necessitates repositioning of collar 86 on the inside or left-hand side of latch 83, as seen in FIG. 4. This is achieved as collar 86 pushes past the latch 88 on its return stroke, the latch at this time simply yielding in a clockwise direction (FIG. 4) to permit the collar to pass. It will be appreciated that spacer 84 is returned in the direction of movement of rack-bar 420 by nut 82 on rod 80 being drawn against the outer end of said spacer.

It will be understood from the foregoing specification that the present invention provides an entirely automatic means for receiving and holding the end of yarn extending from a wound bobbin under tension and for delivering the Wound bobbin to a preselected compartment of a multi-compartment magazine for storage until transferred to the shuttle of an associated loom.

While the present invention is shown and described herein as embodied in a preferred form of construction, it is to be understood that modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the elements thereof without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatic winding machine of the class including spindle means for rotatably supporting a bobbin, delivery means for presenting a preselected one of a plurality of supply yarns for winding on said bobbin, and means for removing each said bobbin from said spindle means after yarn has been Wound thereon, the improvement therein comprising, means for holding the outer end of yarn from said bobbin after said bobbin has been removed from said spindle means, a magazine having a plurality of separate compartments, in side-by-side relationship each separate compartment being adapted to receive bobbins having the same preselected yarn wound thereon, and guide means for directing the bobbin to the compartment appropriate to the type of yarn wound on said bobbin, said holding means being positioned proximate to said magazine and defining a common zone wherein the outer yarn ends of all of said bobbins are held, said zone lying in a substantially common horizontal plane with a delivery end of the magazine.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 including carrier means for transporting said outer end of yarn from said bobbin to said holding means.

3. The. combination as set forth in claim 2 including detaining means for interrupting the movement of said bobbin to said guide means while said outer end of yarn is transported to said holding means.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein said holding means includes a tube, and a suction source connected with said tube.

5. In an automatic winding machine of the class ineluding spindle means for ro-tatably supporting a bobbin, delivery means for presenting a preselected one of a plurality of supply yarns for winding on said bobbin and means for removing said bobbin from said spindle means after yarn has been wound thereon, the improvement therein comprising, means for holding the outer end of yarn from said bobbin after said bobbin has been removed from said spindle means, said holding means including a tube, and a suction source connected with said tube, a magazine having a plurality of separate compartments, each separate compartment being adapted to receive bobbins having the same preselected yarn wound thereon, guide means for directing the bobbin to the compartment appropriate to the type of yarn wound on said bobbin, carrier means for transporting said outer end of yarn from said bobbin to said holding means, detaining means for interupting the movement of said bobbin to said guide means while said outer end of yarn is transported to said holding means, said tube being provided with an elongated slot extending in a path substantially parallel to the path of movement of said bobbin from said detaining means to said magazine compartment, said outer end of yarn being movable along said tube slot as said bobbin moves from said detaining means to said magazine compartment.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 including closure means for sealing said slot closed as the outer end of yarn is transported to said tube, said tube having an opening at one end thereof to initially receive said outer yarn end delivered thereto by said carrier means, said closure means being releasable to open said slot after the outer yarn end is received in said tube.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 including severing means for cutting the preselected supply yarn between a supply source therefor and said bobbin as said bobbin is transported to said suction tube.

8. In an automatic winding machine having means for automatically removing a bobbin wound with yarn thereon, spindle means for rotatably supporting said bobbin, a bracket for holding a plurality of supply yarns for winding on said bobbin, a rod for actuating said bracket to position a preselected one of said supply yarns in an active position for presentment to said bobbin, delivery means for presenting said preselected supply yarn to said bobbin for winding thereon, said bobbin being automatically removed from said spindle means after said preselected yarn has been wound thereon, means for holding the outer end of yarn from said bobbin after said bobbin has been removed from said spindle means, a magazine having a plurality of separate compartments in side-by-side relationship, said holding means being positioned proximate to said magazine and defining a common zone wherein the outer yarn ends of all of said bobbins are held, said zone lying in a substantially common horizontal plane with a delivery end of the magazine, each separate compartment being adapted to receive bobbins having the same preselected yarn wound thereon, guide means for directing the bobbin to the compartment appropriate to the type of yarn wound on said bobbin, and a control link between said rod and said guide means for position ing said guide means to direct said bobbin to its appropriate compartment as said rod actuates said bracket.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 8 including carrier means for transporting said outer end of yarn from said bobbin to said holding means.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 9 including a first slidable member for mounting said carrier means for movement between said bobbin and said holding means, a second slidable member connected with said first member, and means for driving said two slidable members simultaneously.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 including detaining means for interrupting the movement of said bobbin to said guide means while said outer yarn end is transported to said holding means.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said detaining means is movable between a first position operative to engage and hold said bobbin thereon and a second position disengaged from said bobbin, a lever for operating said detaining means, and cam means connected with said second member for actuating said lever to move said detaining means between said first and said second positions.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 12 wherein said holding means includes a tube, and a suction source connected with said tube.

14. In an automatic winding machine having means for automatically removing a bobbin Wound with yarn thereon, spindle means for rotatably supporting said bobbin, a bracket for holding a plurality of supply yarns for winding on said bobbin, a rod for actuating said bracket to position a preselected one of said supply yarns in an active position for presentment to said bobbin; delivery means for presenting said preselected supply yarn to said bobbin for winding thereon, said bobbin being automatically removed from said spindle means after said preselected yarn has been wound thereon, means for holding the outer end of yarn from said bobbin after said bobbin has been removed from said spindle means, said holding means including a tube, and a suction source connected with said tube, a magazine having a plurality of separate compartments, each separate compartment being adapted to receive bobbins having the same preselected yarn Wound thereon, guide means for directing the bobbin to the compartment appropriate to the type of yarn wound on said bobbin, a control link between said rod and said guide means for positioning said guide means to direct said bobbin to its appropriate compartment as said rod actuates said bracket, carrier means for transporting said outer end of yarn from said bobbin to said holding means, a first slidable member for mounting said carrier means for movement between said bobbin and said holding means, a second slidable member connected with said first member, means for driving said two slidable members simultaneously, detaining means for interrupting the movement of said bobbin to said guide means while said outer yarn end is transported to said holding means, said detaining means movable between a first position operative to engage and hold said bobbin thereon and a second position disengaged from said bobbin, a lever for operating said detaining means, cam means connected with said second member for actuating said lever to move said detaining means between said first and said second positions, said tube being provided With an elongated slot extending in path substantially parallel to the path of movement of said bobbin from said detaining means to said magazine compartment, said outer yarn end being movable along said tube slot as said bobbin moves from said detaining means to said magazine compartment.

. 15. The combination as set forth in claim 14 including closure means for sealing said slot closed as the outer end of yarn is transported to said tube, said tube having an opening at one end thereof to initially receive said outer yarn end delivered thereto by said carrier means, said closure means being releasable to open said slot after the outer yarn end is received in said tube.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 15 including a latch for operating said closure member, and a collar for actuating said latch, said collar being movable to actuate said latch in .response to movement of said second slidable member.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 16 including severing means for cutting the preselected supply yarn between a supply source therefor and said bobbin as said outer yarn end is transported to said suction tube.

18. In an automatic bobbin winding machine having spindle means for rotatably supporting a bobbin to wind yarn thereon, and means for removing said bobbin from said spindle means after yarn has been wound thereon, the improvement therein comprising, a magazine adapted to receive therein a plurality of bobbins from said spindle means and having a delivery end, a suction tube for holding the outer end of yarn from a bobbin after said bobbin has been removed from said spindle means, carrier means for transporting said outer end of yarn to said suction tube, said suction tube being positioned proximate to said magazine and defining a common zone wherein the outer yarn ends of all of said bobbins are held, said zone lying in a substantially common horizontal plane with a delivery end of the magazine.

19. In an automatic bobbin Winding machine having spindle means for rotatably supporting a bobbin to Wind yarn thereon, and means for removing said bobbin from said spindle means after yarn has been wound thereon, the improvement therein comprising, a suction tube for holding the outer end of yarn from a bobbin after said bobbin has been removed from said spindle means, carrier means for transporting said outer end of yarn to said rsuction tube, means for guiding said bobbin removed from said spindle in a predetermined path, said suction tube extending in the same direction as said predetermined path and having an elongated slot therein opening toward said path, the outer end of yarn being-movable along said tube slot in the general direction of movement of the bobbin as said bobbin moves in said predetermined path.

20. The combination as set forth in claim 19 including closure means for sealing said slot closed as the outer end of yarn is transported to said suction tube, said tube havmg an opening at one end thereof to initially receive said outer end of yarn delivered thereto by said carrier means, said closure means being releasable to open said slot after the outer end of yarn is received in said suction tube.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,638,936 5/1953 Goodhue et a1. l39-224 2,733,870 2/1956 Furst 24235.6 3,059,867 10/1962 Furst 24235.6

FOREIGN PATENTS 942,716 11/ 1963 Great Britain.

STANLEY N. GHJREATH, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN AN AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE OF THE CLASS INCLUDING SPINDLE MEANS FOR ROTATABLY SUPPORTING A BOBBIN, DELIVERY MEANS FOR PRESENTING A PRESELECTED ONE OF A PLURALITY OF SUPPLY YARNS FOR WINDING ON SAID BOBBIN, AND MEANS FOR REMOVING EACH SAID BOBBIN FROM SAID SPINDLE MEANS AFTER YARN HAS BEEN WOUND THEREON, THE IMPROVEMENT THEREIN COMPRISING, MEANS FOR HOLDING THE OUTER END OF YARN FROM SAID BOBBIN AFTER SAID BOBBIN HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SAID SPINDLE MEANS, A MAGAZINE HAVING A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE COMPARTMENTS, IN SIDE-BY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP EACH SEPARATE COMPARTMENT BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE BOBBINS HAVING THE SAME PRESELECTED YARN WOUND THEREON, AND GUIDE MEANS FOR DIRECTING THE BOBBIN TO THE COMPARTMENT APPROPRIATE TO THE TYPE OF YARN WOUND ON SAID BOBBIN, SAID HOLDING MEANS BEING POSITIONED PROXIMATE TO SAID MAGAZINE AND DEFINING A COMMON ZONE WHEREIN THE OUTER YARN ENDS OF ALL OF SAID BOBBINS ARE HELD, SAID ZONE LYING IN A SUBSTANTIALLY COMMON HORIZONTAL PLANE WITH A DELIVERY END OF THE MAGAZINE. 